Five From the Fringe

[Faithwarrior118]

CBS.Sportsline Clark Judge lists five teams that missed last year's playoffs he thinks will make it in this year.

Arizona, Kansas City, New York Giants, Detriot Lions and .... Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panthers: They're one season removed from the Super Bowl, so they're not exactly emerging out of nowhere. But the Panthers lost seven of their first eight in 2004 and finished with their fourth losing season in five years.

That changes this year for all the right reasons: 1) They made strong free-agent moves, including the signings of cornerback Ken Lucas and offensive lineman Mike Wahle; 2) They hit it big in the draft, with the addition of safety Thomas Davis; 3) Wide receiver Steve Smith is back after missing all but one game and; 4) so is one of their top running backs, DeShaun Foster.

OK, so the jury's out on Stephen Davis, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee. The Panthers have Nick Goings and rookie Eric Shelton as insurance. More than that, they have a proven, steady hand in quarterback in Jake Delhomme, who over the last 10 games last year had 22 touchdown passes, five interceptions and five passer ratings of 106.8 or better.

Most important, they have one of the league's most opportune defenses, a unit that last year led the league with 38 takeaways -- including a league-high 26 interceptions -- and one of the game's most underrated head coaches in John Fox. What killed Carolina a year ago were the close calls they won in 2003. They were 0-4 in games decided by three or fewer points, where the year before they were 6-1. The pendulum swings back this season.

 

[homer2k79]

although I wouldn't really say fringe.

 

[klgeorge13]

One of the guys on Sirrus radio has the Panthers as his favorite to win the SB.

 

[y2b]

we exchanged a few e-mails back when he said the Panthers would be bottom feeders one year...turns out they went 1-15 that season

 

[curly]

we exchanged a few e-mails back when he said the Panthers would be bottom feeders one year...turns out they went 1-15 that season

well, you can't be wrong all the time. :imagestor

 

[magnus]

Maybe KC, and maybe us. We should, but the pieces actually have to come together, and we have to avoid injuries and the losing streaks that plague us.

AZ? Detroit? NYG? Really? I mean, NY looked like it could for a small time, but then fell flat on its face, and that damn sure wasn't under Manning. Arizona might have a shot with its receivers if Warner gets consistent again, but that team overall hasn't shown it can play hard down the stretch.
And Detroit is so variable that it's really impossible for me to say what's going on there. When you have that type inconsistency, it's hard to assume that it'll include being 2 games over .500.

And for that matter, I can't see Detroit beating out GB and/or Minnesota in that division...the mere fact that the guy picked 4 NFC teams to make the playoffs that hadn't last year, makes it improbable.

 

[McFly41]

He's reaching so he can likely say "Itold you so" on at least one of them. Carolina seems the most likely of the group. Anything can and often does happen in the East, so I guess NY is as good a choise as any.
Detroit and Arizona? I'll have what he's having, cuz it must be the good shit!

 

[Paladin]

Well, Arizona had a shot in their division even in the last few weeks last year. Seattle, St. Louis, San Francisco...it's not exactly intimidating.

 

[tharan000]

Damn, I thought it read Five From the Fridge. And of course I immediately thought "beer."

 

[Thelt]

Arizona can be good this year. They have a lot of the pieces in place on offense now they just need to gel. They had a decent defense already.

Detroit has a lot of skill on offense but the QB might hold them back. I am not sure Garcia is the answer either.